Matthiasson "Tendu" Red Blend - 2017

Tasting Notes

Winemaker Steve Matthiasson is fascinated by Italian wines. This quaffable red blend shows delicious fruit flavors and bright acidity that calls out for pizza, pasta and burgers. The liter size makes it ideal for sharing with friends over a meal.

Staff Pick Notes

This is a beautiful Italian blend of Aglianico, Montepulciano and Barbera, organically farmed in California. The Matthiasson family is committed to sustainable agriculture and their care for the vineyards and wines is apparent on the first sip. The "Tendu" goes deep into natural wine territory, eschewing fining, filtration, and added sulphur.
Ready to drink as soon as that crown cap has been popped off, there's an explosion of juicy cherry with floral undertones and bright acidity. Unabashedly chuggable. My only complaint about this wine is that it's too easy to drink! And with a liter sized bottle, that could be dangerous...
Grab some friends, grab some glasses, and grab this wine!

- TI

Astor's Glossary of Terms

California

California makes more wine than any other state in the United States. Not only does the state grow a variety of noble grape varieties like Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, there are also plantings of lesser-known varieties such as Nebbiolo, Roussanne and Mourvèdre to name just a few.

Aglianico

Brought to Italy by the Greeks in the 6th century B.C., Aglianico enjoyed an early heyday in the ancient world as one of the key components of Falernum, a wine revered by kings and poets. After nearly being wiped out by Phylloxera in the 19th century, the grape is now experiencing a great revival in southern Italy. Inky-black in color, with big tannins and firm structure, the grape offers typical...

Montepulciano

This rugged red staple can be anything from a simply fruited, easy-drinking wine to a serious, more structured offering, complete with all the depth and earthiness that can come from old-vine fruit and ideally placed vineyards. Montepulciano d'Abruzzi is produced in the region of Abruzzi from the Montepulciano grape, and is not to be confused with Tuscany’s Sangiovese-based Vino Nobile di...

Barbera

Barbera is grown all over Italy, but the best examples of this red grape come from Piedmont, where it is made into all manner of wines - from easy-drinking quaffers to serious, cellar-worthy bottlings. Wherever they fall on the spectrum of stodginess, however, they are generally ruby-colored, full-bodied, and highly acidic, with remarkably low levels of tannins. The areas that are most strongly...